Drew Pratt

I've been a fan of Ghost since seeing them open for Iron Maiden's Book of Souls tour in 2017. Skeleta was a major letdown. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but I definitely didn’t anticipate such a monotonous and uninspired album. Every song feels forced and non-organic. Most tracks blend together with repetitive chord progressions, narrow vocal delivery, and a general lack of energy. Lachryma and Satanized are the strongest tracks, but even they don’t elevate the album much. Tobias Forge's range felt especially limited this time around. I listened through the entire album hoping it would pick up, but it never did. The imagery and presentation are striking, but the music doesn’t live up to it. Newer fans might enjoy the aesthetic, but for longtime listeners, Skeleta falls flat.